Avoiding unnecessary hair or scalp trauma, reducing stress and analyzing your diet are all worthwhile endeavors when attempting to prevent alopecia areata from spreading.
There is no cure for alopecia areata—only treatment. In mild cases, hair usually grows back, sometimes on its own. However, if treatment is necessary, steroid injections and topical medications may be recommended. But there have been no reliably effective treatments for severe cases of alopecia areata until recently.
Hairstyles that pull the hair tightly (such as braids, hair extensions or tight ponytails). Haircare that may cause damage due to processing (including perms and bleach). Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy, childbirth or menopause). Medical treatment (such as chemotherapy and certain medications).
While alopecia areata can be challenging to manage, incorporating natural remedies into your routine may provide additional support. Scalp massages with essential oils, application of onion or garlic juice, and the use of aloe vera gel are among the home remedies that individuals have explored.
Products with minoxidil help many people regrow their hair or slow the rate of hair loss or both. It'll take at least six months of treatment to prevent further hair loss and to start hair regrowth. It may take a few more months to tell whether the treatment is working for you.
No, alopecia areata doesn't go away. Medications and other treatments help manage your hair loss, but they won't cure the disease. Alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis are more severe and less likely to respond to treatment.
Fortunately, treatments can help regrow hair. Alopecia areata can be triggered by environmental factors like stress, injury, or illness.
LITFULO® (ritlecitinib) is the first FDA-approved treatment for adolescents ages 12 and up. Approved in June 2023, LITFULO is a once-daily medication for the treatment of severe alopecia areata.
This type of baldness is not usually caused by a disease. It is related to aging, heredity, and changes in the hormone testosterone. Inherited, or pattern baldness, affects many more men than women. Male pattern baldness can occur at any time after puberty.
The course of alopecia areata varies from person to person. Some have bouts of hair loss throughout their lives, while others only have one episode. Recovery is unpredictable too, with hair regrowing fully in some people but not others.
Scarring alopecia is permanent hair loss due to hair follicle destruction. In nonscarring alopecia, hair may fall out or get thinner, but your hair follicle isn't destroyed. So nonscarring alopecia may be temporary, and your hair can sometimes grow back.
While ACV is scientifically proven to help with dry scalp and dry hair, it doesn't have the backing for treating conditions like androgenic alopecia (AKA male pattern baldness).
Despite its popularity in the media and amongst consumers, biotin has no proven efficacy in hair and nail growth of healthy individuals. Only 1 study has shown decreased levels of biotin in healthy individuals, though this data was confounded by multiple factors, including patient history.
Baricitinib oral tablets — developed by Eli Lilly and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year — is the first systemic treatment for alopecia areata.
Foods that cause inflammation might aggravate your hair loss. Instead, eat an anti-inflammatory diet full of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean meats. Stress and inflammation are connected, so avoiding chronic stress could help alleviate alopecia areata symptoms.
Good scalp hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of alopecia areata as well. Use gentle shampoos and conditioners that are free from harsh chemicals. Also, avoid excessive heat styling or tight hairstyles since they can strain the hair follicles. Lastly, protect your scalp from sun exposure.